Membership of an ISO Technical Advisory Group has multiple benefits.

The International Standards Organization (ISO) develops and publishes globally recognized standards for many different areas, including analytical methods.  As such it can influence the practices that you need to adopt in your industry, including the analytical laboratories.

How can you influence these standards?   Participation is easy.  Join one of the groups that help develop ISO standards, and decide what standards are developed.

In the USA participation is via a Technical Advisory Group.  AOCS participates in four of these TAGs.  These are for:

ISO/TC 34/SC 2: Oleaginous seeds and fruits and oilseed meals

ISO/TC 34/SC 11: Animal and vegetable fats and oils

ISO/TC 34/SC 16: Horizontal methods for molecular biomarker analysis

ISO TC 34/SC 4: Cereals and Pulses

What are the benefits of participating?

As a member of a TAG you will be seen as a leader and expert in your field—both as an individual and for the organization you represent. Membership is a way to showcase your involvement in the industry.  What’s more, you can shape the standards that apply to your industry - staying on the sidelines risks letting your competitors set standards and make decisions that impact your industry.

Another benefit is networking.  Participation means that you get to connect with experts, not only in the USA, but around the world.  As participants in ISO we routinely connect to and learn from experts in dozens of countries.  You will develop your negotiation skills while getting a bird’s-eye view of how your industry functions overall.

Finally, as TAG member you are more aware of emerging issues and obstacles that affect your industry, product line, or area of interest.

How do you get involved?

Contact Denise Williams at Denise.Williams@aocs.org or Ray Shillito at rayaacci@gmail.com for more information.